The Peninsula Musical Arts Association (PMAA) is now accepting submissions for their 2026 Choral Composition Competition. This composition competition is open to students and adults from the greater San Francisco Bay Area.
Competitors must submit a score of their original composition and an audio file or YouTube video of the piece being casually performed. The competition winner will receive a grand prize of $1,000 and a chance at having their composition premiered during our spring 2027 concert.
General Guidelines:
Preference will be given to pieces with a limited number of meter and key changes that are written in a Western European tonal style, or in American folk music style of composers such as Gwyneth Walker, Victor Johnson, or Dan Forrest.
Submissions will be judged by the PMAA Musical Director and a PMAA Board subcommittee.
The selected composer must be willing to work in cooperation with PMAA’s music director to edit the submitted piece prior to being awarded the competition prize and the public performance by PMAA.
If no suitable composition is submitted, PMAA reserves the right to not select a winner for this year.
When the competition ends, PMAA will delete the submissions not selected.
The composition should be a new piece that hasn't been performed by a Chorus before, but could have been composed for a class or other occasion.
Keep reading for additional details.
Accompaniment
Piano or a Cappella
Chorus
The Peninsula Community Chorus, a 35-50 voice, SATB amateur chorus
SATB Range
Soprano low A to high A
Alto low F to high F
Tenor low C to high C
Basses low E to high E
Date Composition Due
July 31, 2026
Score Format
PDF, MuseScore, or Finale accepted
Audio Submission
Email audio file or YouTube link
Judges
PMAA Musical Director, and PMAA Board subcommittee
Fill out the form to start your submission inquiry. We'll be in touch soon!
